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I use the Oregon 450. Like the touch screen and mine is loaded with free 24K equivalent topo maps downloaded from the internet. I have never used arial views on the GPS. Maps showing land ownership and unit boundaries are available. You may already know about these guys.

Until I started using the GPS to provide coordinates for photos it was never on except to mark where I parked, my camp, and my elk. It did help get me oriented one night, but I was injured, and at no time was I lost. GPS units with topo maps are nice but, whichever GPS you get, do not leave you map and compass at home. The more complicated things get the more that can go wrong.

we started using the Rhino 530 combo 2way and GPS a few years back. We aren't "push" hunters really, but it is pretty cool to see where other people are in your party, and we are really happy with these. I know there are downsides like cross traffic picking up your waypoints and such. That wasn't something we were really aware of when we got them. little bulky, but we are really pleased.

My tidbit that may be relevant to backcountry hunts is to watch out for units with big "lithium"? batteries that can't be charged with small solar panels. They don't even make an adapter for ours because the guy said it would take 2 days just to charge the battery if you tried. My choices are carry extra battery packs at $65 each, or an optional battery pack that uses a pile of AA's. I think if you are solo, and not using the transmitter, the battery pack could easily last for days. This fall i will hopefully get a good test for it.

Ditto on Elk Hunter: never leave the good stuff like maps and compass behind. Leave that fancy stuff in your pocket until you need it.

another tidbit for the blind(like me): have your cheater glasses in your pocket. Nothing worse than straining your eyes and missing a shot opportunity because you can't see for 5 minutes after shutting your GPS off.

tttoadman - have you seen the Orange JOOS solar charger? Apparently, it works really well, REI.com gives it great reviews. It weighs 24 oz but it will recharge itself in 12 hours, even in the shade, so if you leave it at your tent, you could recharge your GPS every night.

tttoadman - have you seen the Orange JOOS solar charger? Apparently, it works really well, REI.com gives it great reviews. It weighs 24 oz but it will recharge itself in 12 hours, even in the shade, so if you leave it at your tent, you could recharge your GPS every night.

thanks for the tidbit, I must have missed this popup before. I will definitely be looking into anything new. I have even considered picking up a smaller unit if I am not going to be talking with anybody. The "AA" battery pack is an option, but those 530's weigh a ton already.